Hong Kong considers lessons in appreciating China for children

May 6, 2011, 2:24 GMT

Hong Kong - Hong Kong government on Friday began collecting the public's view on a plan to introduce lessons on patriotism and the achievements of China in schools by 2013.

The lessons, which are expected to take up about one hour a week in primary and secondary schools, will be aimed at building national harmony and identity and include learning the Chinese national anthem and appreciating China's culture and its national sports teams.

However, one democratic lawmaker has already expressed concern that such lessons may open the door to the political brainwashing of children.

The former British territory, which reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, retains most of its autonomy from China through the 'one country, two systems' arrangement which guarantees political and economic freedom in the wealthy city of 7 million.

The plan has been put together by the moral and national education ad-hoc committee under the Curriculum Development Council. It could be introduced by 2013 if the outcome of the four-month public consultation exercise is favourable.

Committee chairman Lee Chack-fan said it aimed to develop positive values and attitudes to enhance personal and national qualities.

'It also facilitates students' identity-building under different domains, namely family, society, the nation and the world, and fosters their sense of commitment and contribution towards these respective domains,' he said.

Lee added the lessons would not lead to an exam and stressed that teachers would be given the freedom to decide how to teach sensitive topics such as the 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators and the jailing of dissidents.

However, Democratic Party legislator Cheung Man-kwong, who represents the education sector, warned of the potential for political brainwashing.

'It is more important to give students a comprehensive and true picture of China. National education should not be teaching students to toe the Communist Party line,' he told the South China Morning Post.

Surveys carried out in the city suggest growing political and social ties between Hong Kong people and China. One in June, 2010 said 46 per cent now considered themselves to be Hong Kong Chinese, up nine percentage points from 2009, while 28 per cent said they were Chinese, compared to 24 per cent in 2009.

The city's Beijing-appointed government has organized a number of initiatives aimed at boosting Chinese patriotism including playing the national anthem on free-to-air TV stations nightly.

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